A ministry of belonging
In 2023, faced with the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone, without her family, Sister Ingrid Andersen, Franciscan and incumbent at Church of the Advent, Colwood, was inspired to start a “Home Alone” Christmas lunch.
Ingrid thought there had to be others out there who would be spending Christmas Day alone and that no one should have to be alone on a day that is typically one of communal celebrations. So, Ingrid raised the idea of hosting a potluck style lunch on Christmas Day at the church.
In 2023, the first “Home Alone” lunch saw around 20 guests and 10 parishioners and volunteers eating, mingling and having fun together. In 2024, those numbers doubled and in 2025 the lunch catered for 60 people, predominantly from the West Shore area of Greater Victoria.
Close to 40 parishioners sign up to contribute towards the 2025 lunch, and guests could choose from ham, turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potato, veggies, cranberry sauce and dessert, with gluten and dairy-free options. Volunteers helped decorate the tables, and attendees pulled Christmas crackers and sang carols.
Ingrid says the feedback has been positive and that while the event is not religious in nature, it is an important ministry of belonging for the church and a way to act out its principles of love and welcome. “Many of the people who come have heartbreaking stories of why this is their first Christmas alone, and they end up enjoying themselves on the day they had dreaded,” she adds.
Generous and willing hands
Across the city, another church was also hosting a Christmas Day lunch. St. Matthias held its first Christmas Day lunch in 2022. Colleen Lissamer, the incumbent at St. Matthias, says the parish discerned a desire for a community meal on Christmas Day, rather than before Christmas.
A Christmas Day meal was felt to be especially important for those without a family gathering to attend. However, Colleen says the event has attracted a broad range of people including single people, couples and families. Residents of Rogers Court, the housing for seniors on the St. Matthias property, have also attended. The event is open to anyone and free of charge.
Members of the community sign up to contribute in various ways: setting up, cooking, serving and cleaning up. Some of these volunteers also sit down to eat a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and dessert.
Colleen says the response has been positive, and that participants have expressed their appreciation for the community aspect of the lunch, as well as for the meal itself. “It’s always a joyful event. It’s not difficult to arrange or prepare and there are always generous and willing hands ready to pitch in.” says Colleen.
